VMI at Pittsburgh College Basketball Picks & Predictions 11/9/2018

Friday, November 9, 2018

Petersen Events Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The VMI Keydets travel to Petersen Events Center to play the Pittsburgh Panthers on Friday, November 9, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh as 13 point favorites.

VMI comes into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 9-20. They had a point differential of -8.7 as they averaged 65.1 points per game while giving up 73.8 per contest. Pittsburgh had an overall record of 8-23 last season. They averaged 62.0 points per game and surrendered 72.4, good for a point differential of -10.3.

Valuable VMI Keydets Betting Trends

The VMI Keydets were 10-13-0 against the spread last season

The VMI Keydets were 7-15-0 against the over/under last year

Important Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers were 15-12-0 against the spread last season

The Pittsburgh Panthers were 5-21-0 against the over/under last year

Key VMI Keydets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

11/08/18 G Jared Wilson-Frame Suspension Served is probable Friday vs VMI

Player Spotlight

Bubba Parham comes into this contest after averaging 14.6 points per game while playing 29.8 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 3.4 rebounds per game and dished out 2.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 51% while his free throw percentage finished at 80%. Tyler Creammer averaged 7.1 points per game in 19.7 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 0.6 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 45% for the year while his free throw percentage was 71%.

Player Spotlight

Shamiel Stevenson averaged 8.5 points per game while playing 23.8 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 4.4 rebounds per game and had 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 51% and his free throw percentage was at 61%. Malik Ellison averaged 7.4 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 24.8 minutes per contest. He also averaged 3.3 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 42% and his free throw percentage was 60%.

Useful Team Statistics

VMI averaged 65.1 points per contest last season, which ranked them 336th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin was -8.7 and their shooting percentage was 40% as a team, which had them ranked 345th. Behind the arc they shot 32% which was good for 322nd in the nation. They averaged 34.3 rebounds per game and 11.8 assists per game, which ranked them 235th and 301st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 39th with 14.7 per game. The Keydets allowed 73.8 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 211th in the country. They also allowed a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 207th and 130th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 38.0 rebounds a game which ranked 308th and they gave up 13.9 assists per contest, which put them in 220th place in the nation. They forced 13.7 turnovers per game which ranked them 234th among NCAA teams.

Useful Team Statistics

Pittsburgh was 349th in the country with 62.0 points per game last year. They were 337th in Division 1 in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin was -10.3. They shot 33% from 3-point range, which was good for 303rd in the nation. They were 334th in the country in rebounding with 31.5 boards per game, and 266th in assists per contest with 12.4. The Panthers were 82nd in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Panthers surrendered 72.4 points per contest, which ranked them 172nd in D-1. Their defense allowed a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 178th and 97th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 303rd with 15.1 assists allowed per contest and 301st with 37.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Panthers were 12th in the country in forcing turnovers with 10.3 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Keydets were 343rd in the nation last year in offensive rating with 92.4. In terms of pace they were 123rd in the country with 70.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 46% was 334th. As a team they were 336th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 88th in Division 1. VMI was 25th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 18.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Pittsburgh was 16th in the country in turnovers last year, as they turned the ball over an average of 18.7 times per 100 possessions. The Panthers had an offensive rating of 93.7, which was ranked 338th. They were 330th in D-1 in pace with 65.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% was 303rd. As a unit they were 304th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shot 3-pointers on 48% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the country.

Who will win tonight's VMI/Pittsburgh college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh -13

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